Three Forest Trees & the Noise Beneath Them

It is the evening of Christmas day. Late. Nearly midnight. At last  the house is quiet, the TV silenced, Jake long since given up his video games and snuggled into bed. Phil is snoring in the living room recliner. The day was full of love, peace and sunlight. We feasted on belgium waffles from Jake's new waffle maker with which he proudly proclaimed, " my first kitchen tool. " Gifts were opened, we did our yearly search of something is missing, this can't be all, wait there are gifts still hidden in the studio. The sun allowed us a nice walk in warm temperatures and Daisy was our constant companion. The day moved sweetly, slowly and became a beacon of peace, an oasis of family in our busy life. I love days like this one!

Merry Christmas!!

Bundled up for a cold, wet December's Christmas Eve.
( note the studio apron I am wearing )

The solstice moon seen with Christmas lights from the studio.

My favorite of favorite-est Santas!

Jake opening his Christmas Eve package from his sister Paula
& family. 

Phil with my birthday gift book from Paula. 

Wishing all my friends and family who peek in at this blog a very Merry Christmas and a season of love, peace and healthy blessings. I am so grateful to have all of you in my life.

Hallelujah Chorus -Quinhagak, Alaska

Happy Winter Solstice!

The evening feels kind of magical as we wait and hope that the sky will be clear enough to see the lunar eclipse and the solstice. What an event the heavens have forecast for us on this dark winter's eve.

love Affair with Crows

Stanley Rill's work - Port Townsend.  I want!!!

I continue to have a love affair with crows! People ask me why and I have no ready explanation. Is it their wit? Their chatter? The beauty of them in flight? The resourcefulness they possess? I can not say but I never cease to wonder at them in life and remain entranced by them when captured in an artist's work.

Christmas Party

My fancy Sangria drink. It was fabulous!

 All the business owners in the James & Hastings Building last night had a Christmas gathering at the Galetea Tappas Lounge in PT. We were relaxed, chatting, having fun and recounting all our years in business. Michelle, Katya and I have been in a retail business since the 70's in PT! What a wealth of adventures and experiences we have had over the years. As for me, I would love to stay in this business, this spot, this retail world until my ending days. I have so much fun and an outlet for creativity in all forms. Plus, the biggest benefit is that I love being with people!

Phil in mid sentence.

Gina, Victorian Square Cafe and Michelle, PT Kids.

Frank, PT Tees.

And finally this incredible light display on the roof of a 2 story
house! It was awesome against the dark night sky. 

The Tree is Up!

 FinaLLy, I have a good picture of Daisy. The little sprite finally stood still long enough to capture a picture! Even if it is through the sliding glass door! She was hoping for some extra meatloaf or ham or....

This is the tree that Jake helped unload from a truck full of Christmas trees. He was thrilled to get a tree for only $ 5 over cost. When I walked in the door tonight, it was up and he had installed the lights. Using a very clever trick that he thought of; wrapping the inside of the tree with only white lights and adding the brights on the outside. In another day or two we will have added ornaments and I will post another picture. Incidentally, the tree takes up the better part of our dining room. Jake wanted a big tree!